In a scene almost lifted from the U.S., a local Australian council faces pressure for using taxpayer funds to organise a “drag storytime” for children at a Melbourne library.
On April 26, a Monash City Council meeting in Melbourne’s east was met by angry community members who chanted slogans against the event and expressed frustration at the proceedings.
Families have been invited to sign-up their kids (aged one to six) to a “sparkling morning of stories and songs to inspire young readers” hosted by Lisa and a “special guest”, Sam T, aimed at spreading the message of “equality and appreciation of diversity” at the Oakleigh Library.
The event is supposed to mark the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia.
Mayor Tina Samardzija temporarily suspended the council meeting midway through when over 150 protestors began chanting phrases like “shame on you.” A smaller group of about 30 supporters for the drag storytime was also present.
Community Members Want Answers, Says Livestreamer
Livestreamer Rukshan Fernando was at the event and said the meeting was run according to its agenda and that locals were expressing their frustration or dissatisfaction.“It was more reactionary,” he told The Epoch Times. “The interruptions really began when the issue of the drag show came up, and the council gave its [pre-prepared] answer and wanted to move forward to the next topic.”
“I interpreted it as people weren’t satisfied with that answer,” he said.
Fernando added that the councillors might have been surprised by the sheer volume of community members that attended but said there were legitimate questions about why a local council was getting involved in high-level political issues.
“Some of their answers seem inadequate, like what is the premise of a council using ratepayers’ money to do these types of programmes?” he added.
Let Kids Be Kids, Says Senator
Victorian Senator Ralph Babet was more direct in his assessment.“It is a sad reflection on our times that councillors cannot see the terrible havoc that these workshops can potentially inflict on impressionable young children,” he added.
Babet also said that if the council was true to its word on diversity and equality, it should allow the senator to organise a “conservative story time” on its premises.
Another Melbourne-based council, the Boroondara City Council, was forced to cancel a similar event after claiming it received threats, The Age reports.
In December, New York City police officers were forced to intervene when a protest turned into a riot between opposing sides outside a library in Jackson Heights in the borough of Queens, where a drag queen story reading was being held.
Some Republican-led states have banned the events altogether.
